Quilting is becoming an increasingly important and integral part of my life. My creative outlet changes how I view the world around me, influences the activities I pursue with my family, and introduces me to new people whose life paths wouldn't ordinarily intersect mine. My life is much like my favorite types of quilts - scrappy and unconventional, full of interest and surprises, and with an underlying current of making do (and making something beautiful!) with what I have.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Feeling blue

I'm feeling a bit blue today. It is probably partially the weather - the sun has only been out for about 3 hours total in the last 5 days. But it is also partially all the BAD that happens in the world. You already know about my young, new dad co-worker who was diagnosed with ALS. I wish they would hurry up and find a cure because he's a great guy, and his family needs him. I support him as much as I can at work and through his website, but I wish there were more I could do.

Then, two weeks ago or so, there was that drive-by shooting in Seattle. That shouldn't affect me much living in Virginia, right? Wrong. The girl who was killed was the girlfriend of my uncle's girlfriend's son, a family that has been in my life for over a decade. So while I didn't know Nicole Westbrook, I'm really hurting for her boyfriend who held her as she died, and his mom who just wants to take the pain away for her son, and my uncle, who is surrounded by grieving people. To say nothing of Nicole Westbrook's family.

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Then, last night, my husband told me that the younger brother of one of his former players has leukemia. This is a kid I saw regularly for 4 years, a kid named Zippy whose zest for life matches his name, a kid whose adult life hasn't even begun yet. Again, I wish I could help, but what can I do? I can donate money, and I can make a quilt, so that is what I started last night. I'm hoping to make something like this Fading Charms Quilt, but with larger squares so I can get it together faster. We'll see.

On a happier note, I did finish putting the borders on my Good Fortune Lil Twister quilt last night AND I straightened up my sewing room a bit so that it doesn't so much look like a real twister hit it.﻿

12 comments:

Sorry, Erin. There's no joke that can cheer you up in the midst of such misfortune. What can you do? Be there for the folks near you. Your co-worker will need you to visit him as his disease progresses and no one else comes around. Your uncle needs to hear from you that you share his pain. The young man with leukemia needs fundraising to find a cure for that disease. And know that there are more good things in the world than the bad, and hug your husband and boys and love them for all their worth.

Hi Erin. I have enjoyed your blog for a long time and have only commented one other time. (Your story about not knowing to clean and oil your sewing machine really hit home with me and totally cracked me up!!) I'm sorry about everything's that's getting you down right now. Please know that the best thing you can do for all of the situations is PRAY. Bathe each dilema in prayer every day. God is in control and His grace and mercy are abundant. I'll pray for your peace and comfort. Take care.

hi Erin. it is easy to get down when people you know are hurting. just live each day to the fullest, hug the people you love and say I love you, a lot. BTW, the quilts were all scrappy. Thanks for visiting my blog. Gail

I am honored that you would select a Fading Charms quilt as your donation. If you decide to stay with the smaller pieces, I could help out by sharing some precut squares. I don't think I have enough ready to do a whole quilt, but I would like to do something.

You do have a lot to feel blue about right now, and I'm so sorry to hear it. I get to feeling that way sometimes too when I read so many awful things that make the headlines, but your stories are much more personal and I know you are hurting. Go give those handsome boys of yours a big hug. It's sure to make you feel better.

How painful, sadly this is part of being human. Family, friends and their loved ones suffer, and none of us gets out of this world alive. But is it so bad to feel so deeply for so many that are suffering? I pray for them and gives thanks for all I have right now. Like a reminder of how blessed I am but knowing my time will come. We have to appreciate life while we have it right?